TWO leading educationalists from Iraq have visited a Huddersfield training company.

Husam Al-Waan and Mejbel Smaeel, of Amara in southern Iraq, spent a morning at the offices of ESTL at Folly Hall Mills and also enjoyed a guided tour of one of the firm’s customers, Dewsbury-based TC Bathrooms.

Lynn Andrews, human resources manager at TC Bathrooms, said: “We were delighted to welcome the visitors to our recently-acquired new site and to explain how ESTL has worked with us to support our staff as they work through and achieve their NVQs.

The visitors were in town to learn about the value of training and vocational qualifications provided by private training providers such as ESTL.

Mr Al-Waan said: “This was a very interesting visit, which was an important part of a programme of events at Kirklees College in Huddersfield.

“We learned a great deal, which we believe will be useful when we return to our country.”

Louise Broadley of ESTL, said: “Our role in providing training and vocational qualifications in today’s fragile economy is absolutely crucial.

“The Iraqis have their own challenges – which are different from ours – but the immense value of training and gaining the relevant qualifications is the same across the world.”

ESTL, which employs 100 people in Huddersfield, provide nationally recognised qualifications in the retail, services, taxi-driving, haulage and warehousing sectors. Many of these qualifications are free and can be achieved through simple at-work assessment.

Mrs Broadley said the company explained to its visitors about the importance of engaging with employers and that creating and participating in training schemes would stand them in good stead for the future.

Annette Rhodes, international manager of Kirklees College, said: “The Iraqi delegates had particular interest in how we work with employers to develop our curriculum. How we get funding to develop this side of our provision was also of great interest to them.

“Our staff commented on what an interesting perspective the delegates gave on life, particularly in an educational institution in Iraq.

“Even though education is still not high on the list of Government priorities in Iraq – due to basic living requirements still not being available to all – the country did seem to be making some progress.”

She added: “Due to the lack of established industry and void in manufacturing in Iraq, it seems that vocational training needs are unknown. They hope that once things settle and industry begins to take shape training requirements will then come to the fore.”